The government has shut down Globe and Phoenix primary school after a classroom collapsed into an underground shaft leading to the injury of 17 children.
Uncontrolled underground mining is being blamed for the school classroom collapse which injured primary school children aged between 10 and 11.
The school in the city of Kwekwe is located near two gold mines, and school management had previously complained about illegal mining activities on its grounds.
One girl was seriously injured and taken to hospital. Social media images and videos showed the hole under the classroom that swallowed desks, chairs and school bags.
Provincial affairs minister Larry Mavima said the authorities had ordered the school to be closed and were trying to find alternative placements for its pupils.
“As the government, we are very shocked by this incident and disappointed that the miners didn’t take the requisite measures to secure the area in order to prevent such an accident,” Mavhima said.
An investigation would be launched “on why this happened and who may be responsible”, he concluded.
The school has been closed, and authorities are seeking alternative arrangements for pupils. Artisanal mining has become a popular, albeit illegal, activity in Zimbabwe due to high unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship.